Diamond Dirt: Roger Maris lived the American dream

Thursday

Sep 29, 2011 at 12:01 AMSep 29, 2011 at 12:24 PM

Roger Maris the baseball player was living an amazing life during his playing days. He was one of the greatest players of his era, one of the most respected hitters, one of the most effective outfielders and a great teammate. But Roger Maris the man off the field was living the American dream. Outside of his job as a professional sportsman, he was deeply in love with his wife, Pat, and cared very much for his seven children.

Dominic Genetti

Roger Maris the baseball player was living an amazing life during his playing days.

He was one of the greatest players of his era, one of the most respected hitters, one of the most effective outfielders and a great teammate.

But Roger Maris the man off the field was living the American dream. Outside of his job as a professional sportsman, he was deeply in love with his wife, Pat, and cared very much for his seven children.

I wonder what that’s like; to be in love and have a family of your own. Maybe it’s just me being a late-20s bachelor wondering if I’ll ever get the opportunity to be married to the love of my life with children of my own, but it’s certainly something I look forward to someday. Perhaps I’m going against the male stereotype to say that I can’t wait to be a dad or can’t wait to be married to a woman who makes me smile at the very thought of her, but it’s the truth.

To me, the American dream isn’t being a baseball player — even though that wish will always linger in my heart — or having a lot of money — even though that would be nice. To me, the American dream is to live the simple life.

I’d have no problem waking up every morning serving the public with a few newspaper articles and coming home to a family for the rest of my life.

Oh, sure, there may be arguments over what color to paint the kitchen. Kids that will eventually misbehave and leave to go off to college. There will be house payments, car maintenance and unexpected bills here and there, but when the day is done and I’m laying next to the woman who stole my heart and the kids are asleep in their bedrooms down the hall; I’ll just sit back, let out a pleasant sigh and smile.

Maris lived the American dream, as did my parents and grandparents. And I’m sure the dream has been achieved in your family, too. I just can’t wait until the day comes when I say I too am living the American dream.